JULY 20, 2023•SACBEE.COM
Angels' Shohei Ohtani faces Pirates for first time in openerShohei Ohtani looks to work his way past a pair of difficult outings on the mound when he starts Friday’s opener of the Los Angeles Angels’...
Somehow Josh Naylor Wasn't An All-Star, Continues To Lead Guardians' OffenseJosh Naylor continues his breakout season with the Cleveland Guardians as he is now top-five in MLB with 75 RBI.
JULY 20, 2023•STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
With Pirates fully embracing youth movement, which prospects are next in line for the big leagues?The results on the field prior to Wednesday’s win might not have provided much evidence, but Ben Cherington believes his Pirates are on the...
JULY 20, 2023•POST-GAZETTE.COM
Termarr Johnson - Shakes off calf issueJohnson has gone 2-for-7 with a double and two RBI in two games for Single-A Bradenton since exiting Sunday's contest with a calf cramp.
ImpactBradenton's off day Monday was all Johnson needed to overcome the calf issue. The 19-year-old got off to a delayed start to the 2023 season after battling a hamstring injury during the spring and struggled initially upon returning, but he's been one of the Florida State League's more productive hitters in recent weeks. Since the beginning of June, Johnson has slashed .242/.418/.539 while maintaining a 22.2 percent walk rate and 24.6 percent strikeout rate.
JULY 20, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Steven Kwan - Records 15th stealKwan went 0-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-5 loss to the Pirates.
ImpactKwan's five-game hitting streak came to an end, but he was able to pick up his second steal of the month. The outfielder has gotten back to his reputation as a contact hitter in July, batting .311 with a 5:3 BB:K over 15 contests this month. For the season, he's slashing .269/.343/.366 with 15 steals, three home runs, 31 RBI and 65 runs scored over 95 games.
JULY 20, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Sam Hentges - Struggles, takes loss WednesdayHentges (1-2) allowed four runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning to take the loss Wednesday versus the Pirates.
ImpactHentges entered with one on and one out, but the Pirates were able to rally against him. This was the fourth time in eight appearances in July that he's allowed multiple runs. The rough stretch has inflated his ERA to 6.31 with a 1.44 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB over 25.2 innings this season. While he's collected eight holds this season, Hentges may be kept away from high-leverage situations while he's struggling.
JULY 20, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Peyton Battenfield - Reaches fifth inning in rehab startBattenfield (shoulder) covered 4.1 innings in his rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Columbus, striking out six while allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks.
ImpactThe start was the third of Battenfield's rehab assignment and his first at Columbus after the previous two came with Double-A Akron. Though he's had issues with walks in two of his three rehab starts, Battenfield has reached the fifth inning in both of his last two outings, and he built up to 79 pitches Tuesday. With Shane Bieber (elbow) joining Cal Quantrill (shoulder) on the injured list coming out of the All-Star break, Battenfield could be an option to join the big club when Cleveland next requires a fifth starter, either Sunday versus the Phillies or early next week against the Royals.
JULY 20, 2023•ROTOWIRE
